Coconut oil contains 86 percent saturated fat, according to the USDA database. For this reason it has often been considered unhealthy by the Western diet standards. However, some nutritionists now consider the truth to be quite the opposite, due to the fact that the saturated fat in coconut meat and coconut oil is made up of medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs.
MCTs and LCTs
As Bruce Fife, N.D., explains in his article on the Coconut Research Center website, all fats and oils are composed of fatty acids. These are either saturated fatty acids, generally considered unhealthy, or mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, essential in your diet and believed to be much better for you. But another way to classify fats is as short-, medium- or long-chain triglycerides. Almost all the fat in our diet, whether saturated or unsaturated, comes from long-chain triglycerides, or LCTs. Coconut is almost unique in containing medium-chain triglycerides. According to Fife, it is these MCTs that provide the unique health benefits of coconut meat and coconut oil.
MCTs and Digestion
MCT molecules are smaller than LCT molecules and are therefore more easily digested and more easily absorbed by the body. People who have difficulty digesting or absorbing fats and fat-soluble vitamins, such as cystic fibrosis sufferers or premature babies, may benefit greatly from MCTs since they are so easily absorbed. MCTs may also help sufferers of illnesses such as diabetes, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, Crohn's disease and some forms of cancer, according to Fife.
MCTs, Energy, Weight Loss and Healing
Because MCTs are readily absorbed by the body and directed straight to the liver, they provide an immediate energy source for muscle cells and other organs, boosting metabolism and enhancing the stamina and performance of athletes during exercise, or simply increasing energy levels for daily activities. Increased metabolism can also help speed weight loss and cause cells to function more efficiently, which in turn speeds healing and boosts immunity to illness and disease, as explained by Fife. MCTs may therefore aid conditions such as obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis and other degenerative and infectious illnesses.
Differing Views
Not everyone is a fan of MCTs. In 2005, Dr. Andrew Weil warned against too much intake of coconut oil due to its link with raised cholesterol levels. He also expressed doubts about the immune-function-boosting properties of MCTs, although he conceded that they may help in weight loss. Similarly, MayoClinic.com expresses concern over the saturated fat content of coconut oil and is less convinced by claims that it aids weight loss. The clinic is also unconvinced by claims that it boosts metabolism and increases energy and satiety.
References
- USDA Database: Nutrient Data Laboratory
- Coconut Research Center: Coconut Oil and Medium-Chain Triglycerides; Bruce Fife, N.D.; 2003
- Weil Lifestyle, LLC: Is Coconut Oil Good For You?; Andrew Weil, M.D.; 2005
- MayoClinic.com: Coconut Oil and Weight Loss: Does It Work?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; 2010
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